Ospreys 16/17 season thread

[wayne]

First topic message reminder :

Rugby Management and Squad for 16/17
Head Coach Steve Tandy
Backs Gruff Rees
Forwards Chris Gibbes
Defence Brad Davis
Backs.
Dan Evans 3,     Jeff Hassler 2,     Dafydd Howells 2,     Ashley Beck 2,     Owen Watkin 3,     Kieron Fonotia 2,    Ben John 2,     Tom Habberfield 3,     Rhys Webb NDC 3?,     Dan Biggar NDC 3,     Eli Walker 1,     Josh Matavesi 2,     Tom Grabham 1,      Brendon Leonard 2,     Sam Davies 1,      Hanno Dirksen 1, Keelan Giles 3   
Forwards.
Olly Cracknell 2,     Lloyd Ashley3,     Bradley Davies NDC 3,      Joe Bearman 1,     Gareth Thomas 3,     Hugh Gustafson 2,     Adam Beard 3,     Scott Otten 3,     AWJ NDC 3,     Dan Baker NDC 3,     Rory Thornton NDC 3,     Scott Baldwin NDC 3,     James King NDC 2,     Ma'afu Fia 2,     Nicky Smith 3,     Dmitri Arhip 2,     Justin Tipuric 4,     Sam Parry 2,     Tyler Ardron 1,     Paul James 2,     Dan Suter 1,    Rhodri Jones 2, and Sam Underhill 2 but on permit from Bridgend RFC.
Fixture list for 16/17    
2/9   Zebre                                         H                        Guinness                   W 59-5
10/9 Connacht                                    A                        Guinness                   W 32-11
17/9 Treviso                                       H                         Guinness                   W 64-10
23/9 Leinster                                      A                         Guinness                   L  19-31  
1/10 Ulster                                        A                          Guinness                   L  7-9
7/10 Blues                                         H                          Guinness                   W  46-24
15/10 London I                                   H                           BIC                          L  14-25
14/10 Newcastle Falcons                      H                          RCC2                       W  45-0
23/10 Cornish Pirates                          A                           BIC                          L  5-41
22/10 Lyon Olympique                          A                          RCC2                       W  31-13
29/10 NGD                                        H                            W                          W   35-15    
4/11 Munster                                    A                           Guinness                   L   0-33
11/11 Harlequins                               H                            AWC                         L   12-15
18/11 Blues                                      A                           AWC                         W  31-7
25/12 Glasgow Warriors                      H                           Guinness                    W  22-5  
2/12 Edinburgh                                  H                          Guinness                    W  31-22
9/12 Grenoble                                    H                          RCC                          W  59-7
10/12 Connacht Eagles                        A                          BIC                           W  20-17
17/12 Grenoble                                  A                          RCC                           W 71-3                                 
18/12 Connacht Eagles                       H                           BIC                            W 55-14
27/12 Scarlets                                   H                          Guinness                    W  19-9
1/1 NGD                                           A                           Guinness                    W  10-0
7/1 Connacht                                     H                           Guinness                    W  29-7
14/1  Cornish Pirates                          H                            BIC                           L  10-34
15/1 Lyon                                         H                           RCC                           W 47-7
21/1 Newcastle Falcons                       A                          RCC                           W  26-21  
21/1 London I                                   A                            BIC                            W 26-24
28/1 Bristol                                      H                            AWC                          W  20-14
5/2 Wasps                                        A                           AWC                          W  31-22
10/2 Zebre                                       A                           Guinness                     W  40-10
18/2 Munster                                    H                           Guinness                     L  23-25
26/2 Glasgow W                                H                            Guinness                     W  26-15
3/3 Edinburgh                                   A                            Guinness                     W  13-9
25/3 Treviso                                     A                            Guinness                     L  5-13
2/4  St. Francais                               H P/S                       RCC Q/F                     L  18-20  
8/4 Leinster                                      H                            Guinness                     L  18-20
15/4 Blues                                        A                            Guinness                     L  17-35  
29/4 Ulster                                       H                            Guinness                     W  24-10
6/5 Scarlets                                     A                            Guinness                      L  17-40
20/5 Munster                                    A                            Guinness S/F
Will add RCC2 matches when they've been finalised.
Contrary to popular belief some of the Guinness League games will be affected by the Autumn Internationals, our players will be with TW when we play the Dragons, Munster and Glasgow Warriors, the first 2 because of the 13 day call up period and the Warriors because of the infernal 4th game which this year is against SA, and to think some people think everything is hunkydory now that Dodger Lewis has left his legacy rolls on.               
The number after each player signifies how many years they have left on their Ospreys contract, there are a few others who are on either Development Contracts or appear not to be under contract, Jonathon Spratt, Jordan Collier, and Alex Jeffries and a few others come into that category.
Our first 5 games of the season account for the 2 Italians at home and 3 Irish, Connacht, Ulster and Leinster away, so we shouldn't have as bad a start as last season, but not as good as the previous seasons start, in certain positions especially during International periods we are only 1 or 2 injuries away from disaster, and I just hope Steve has learned his selection mistakes from the last few seasons.

[wayne]

Have to endorse totally what TR had to say, what a diabolical refereeing performance was witnessed at the Liberty last night, not only was the Beck decision totally WRONG, at the minimum it was a penalty try and a yellow card, it was practically identical to the Liam Williams tackle against SA a few years back, if the Rhodri Jones high tackle was worthy of a penalty so was the final double hit, and in the same last few minutes of the game there were 2 deliberate knockons, all is asked for is consistency, and fair play to Munster they lived offside all night and basically got away with it.

Let me also say 2 absolute howling BRAINFARTS cost us this game, we could and should have won this game without the referee having to be involved, the quick throw into the lineout by Baldwin when IIRC we had won all our previous lineouts was suicidal. Finally the final try should never have been completed it was a 3 on 3 sequence when Fonotia charged out of the line and left a massive hole which left the Munster centre exploited fully. Those 2 cost us this game as much as the INCOMPETENT OFFICIALS.

[wayne]

The 2 rumours that have been circulating for a few weeks have been confirmed today with Josh Matavesi leaving to join Newcastle Falcons and Cory Allen joining us from the Blues, with the skillset that shows that Josh in the past is better than Cory, I feel short changed, the only thing in our favour is that a NWQ has left and a Wales Q has arrived. This gives us an option to go looking overseas.

[True Raven]

Judging from Josh's quote, Newcastle have dumped a load of cash in front of him and he's chosen that instead of challenging for trophies. Disappointing but he's been a great player for us so I will wish him (like Sam Underhill) the best in his next club.

Owen Watkin can step up now and realise his potential

[exile jack]

I wish Josh all the best.These guys are one injury from retirement every time they turn out on the paddock.If there is spare money at the Liberty I hope they spend it on a serious enforcer type lock because when AWJ and Bradley aren't about the lack of power in the second row remains a weakness for me and puts Thornton and Beard in a difficult position as they progress their careers.Also a bit concerned about Baldwin's form so replacing him shouldn't be ruled out if his form doesn't pick up.

[wayne]

Have to endorse totally what TR had to say, what a diabolical refereeing performance was witnessed at the Liberty last night, not only was the Beck decision totally WRONG, at the minimum it was a penalty try and a yellow card, it was practically identical to the Liam Williams tackle against SA a few years back, if the Rhodri Jones high tackle was worthy of a penalty so was the final double hit, and in the same last few minutes of the game there were 2 deliberate knockons, all is asked for is consistency, and fair play to Munster they lived offside all night and basically got away with it.

Let me also say 2 absolute howling BRAINFARTS cost us this game, we could and should have won this game without the referee having to be involved, the quick throw into the lineout by Baldwin when IIRC we had won all our previous lineouts was suicidal. Finally the final try should never have been completed it was a 3 on 3 sequence when Fonotia charged out of the line and left a massive hole which left the Munster centre exploited fully. Those 2 cost us this game as much as the INCOMPETENT OFFICIALS.

Saili cited today, this was a game changing decision and we (Ospreys) do not benefit from it. Hearing is in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Judging from Josh's quote, Newcastle have dumped a load of cash in front of him and he's chosen that instead of challenging for trophies.  

Hasn't his brother gone there too (like when they joined the Ospreys)? If I may right, that may have a bit of impact too.

[True Raven]

Yes he has gone but his brother was also here too.  Remember him playing for our lv cup team or something a few years ago.  I'd be surprised if he plays for Newcastle.  

Good luck to him there, I thought he was outstanding here and will be missed

[True Raven]

Try for Rhys Henry the tight head prop in the under 18s final. Game has all been played on the dragons 22

[True Raven]

I'm liking the look of Harri Morgan at 9 and Dylan Moss at 15. Also the scrum is demolishing the dragons at every attempt.

[True Raven]

8-3 dragons full back is on a yellow card after a deliberate knock on on an Ospreys breakaway

[True Raven]

Harri Morgan snipes on the line and offloads it to the other prop Jordan Walters to score from close range 13-3

[True Raven]

Dragons 23 just blazed through the defence to score their first try 16-10

[True Raven]

Dewi cross knocks on with an opportunity in the corner to finish he game off

[True Raven]

Scrum to the dragons in their own 22 with no time left. Hey need to score a converted try to win

[True Raven]

Almost a try at the end to the dragons after a kick down field but the dragons 11 had a hand on Dylan moss back and knocked the ball forward - no try and the Ospreys win the under 18s trophy

[True Raven]

Hanno Dirksen has signed a new two year contract to run until 2019

[wayne]

Hanno Dirksen has signed a new two year contract to run until 2019

Pleased with this signing extension, what a committed Osprey Hanno has been, pity about his injuries, which has hampered his pace somewhat, if he hadn't had those injuries he would by now have had double figure Welsh caps, even with his pace today he would be a better option than Cuthbert.

[exile jack]

Hanno Dirksen has signed a new two year contract to run until 2019

Pleased with this signing extension, what a committed Osprey Hanno has been, pity about his injuries, which has hampered his pace somewhat, if he hadn't had those injuries he would by now have had double figure Welsh caps, even with his pace today he would be a better option than Cuthbert.

Wayne,sorry to hear about Beard and back surgery for Eli doesn't sound great but what do you see as the pecking order for the 2s now at the O's.

[wayne]

Hanno Dirksen has signed a new two year contract to run until 2019

Pleased with this signing extension, what a committed Osprey Hanno has been, pity about his injuries, which has hampered his pace somewhat, if he hadn't had those injuries he would by now have had double figure Welsh caps, even with his pace today he would be a better option than Cuthbert.

Wayne,sorry to hear about Beard and back surgery for Eli doesn't sound great but what do you see as the pecking order for the 2s now at the O's.

I presume the 2s are Hookers, let me just start, that Baldwin and I have a very good personal friend and have spoken to him on a number of occasions and from where he came (NOT ACADEMY) Scott has been an excellent riser. Yet this season he has slipped IMO, Sam Parry is clearly first choice and if anything Scott Otten has also passed Balders, he really needs to up his game. Let me finally add the BRAINFART that Scott threw last weekend was not entirely his fault because if you watch the game Dan Evans clearly called for the quick throw, but Scott should not have passed it. We are clearly in trouble for that spot this weekend I suspect Sam Parry is out with HIA protocols, Otten is out so we are down to the ex Dragon Gustaffson and possibly the youngster Ifan Phillips, who for your information is the ex Neath and Wales hookers Kevin Phillips son.

[exile jack]

Hanno Dirksen has signed a new two year contract to run until 2019

Pleased with this signing extension, what a committed Osprey Hanno has been, pity about his injuries, which has hampered his pace somewhat, if he hadn't had those injuries he would by now have had double figure Welsh caps, even with his pace today he would be a better option than Cuthbert.

Wayne,sorry to hear about Beard and back surgery for Eli doesn't sound great but what do you see as the pecking order for the 2s now at the O's.

I presume the 2s are Hookers, let me just start, that Baldwin and I have a very good personal friend and have spoken to him on a number of occasions and from where he came (NOT ACADEMY) Scott has been an excellent riser. Yet this season he has slipped IMO, Sam Parry is clearly first choice and if anything Scott Otten has also passed Balders, he really needs to up his game. Let me finally add the BRAINFART that Scott threw last weekend was not entirely his fault because if you watch the game Dan Evans clearly called for the quick throw, but Scott should not have passed it. We are clearly in trouble for that spot this weekend I suspect Sam Parry is out with HIA protocols, Otten is out so we are down to the ex Dragon Gustaffson and possibly the youngster Ifan Phillips, who for your information is the ex Neath and Wales hookers Kevin Phillips son.

If Ifan is 1/2 as good as his Dad was the O's will have a very good player.Only saw the highlights of the Munster game but I bet Llandarcy on Monday was not a place for the faint hearted.By all accounts Mitrea was poor.Best wishes for Sunday.Hope Mooj gets a run out.Presumably Wales will be generous in player release.

[wayne]

So Saili is found guilty of foul play by a 3 man disciplinary Committee, that didn't warrant a Red card, so is allowed to play against the Scarlets this weekend.
So as I said it should have been a yellow card and a Penalty try.
I wonder if Mitrea and his sidekick had a talking to? I doubt it.

[wayne]

Thornton, Cracknell and King released back to us for the must win game against Glasgow on Sunday, the good news is that Rhodri is not mentioned. No update given on our hooker situation, just have to hope Parry can come through for us. Should have a decent team except for the No 2 spot. Hoping for something like the following
Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Hanno Dirksen, Luke Price, Tom Habberfield, Paul James, Sam Parry, Brian Mujati, Lloyd Ashley, Rory Thornton, Olly Cracknell, Sam Underhill and Dan Baker with Hugh Gustafsson, Gareth Thomas, Dan Suter, Tyler Ardron, James King, Brendon Leonard, Josh Matavesi and Dafydd Howells. Could be that all the returnees start this game on Howleys orders, I hope not as Baker totally outshone King when he came on, he is coming back to his form of a couple of years ago. That 23 with the addition of Ben John, should be good enough to get a win, cannot afford another defeat. It will happen if Rhodri is in the 23 and Gustafsson and Phillips have to face up to this challenge.

[maestegmafia]

Really didn't think that Rhodes Jones had a bad game last week. Our scrum was fine when he was on and he was very good in the loose.

[wayne]

[quote="maestegmafia"]Really didn't think that Rhodes Jones had a bad game last week. Our scrum was fine when he was on and he was very good in the loose.

Maes he might have been better than normal, but he still cost us at least 3 scrum penalties in that match, you only have to look at his shape, compared to any of our other tight head props to see he will only ever be at best a 3rd choice and probably a 4th choice in that position, when he could be an excellent loosehead, his open play is exceptional.

[wayne]

Thornton, Cracknell and King released back to us for the must win game against Glasgow on Sunday, the good news is that Rhodri is not mentioned. No update given on our hooker situation, just have to hope Parry can come through for us. Should have a decent team except for the No 2 spot. Hoping for something like the following
Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Hanno Dirksen, Luke Price, Tom Habberfield, Paul James, Sam Parry, Brian Mujati, Lloyd Ashley, Rory Thornton, Olly Cracknell, Sam Underhill and Dan Baker with Hugh Gustafsson, Gareth Thomas, Dan Suter, Tyler Ardron, James King, Brendon Leonard, Josh Matavesi and Dafydd Howells. Could be that all the returnees start this game on Howleys orders, I hope not as Baker totally outshone King when he came on, he is coming back to his form of a couple of years ago. That 23 with the addition of Ben John, should be good enough to get a win, cannot afford another defeat. It will happen if Rhodri is in the 23 and Gustafsson and Phillips have to face up to this challenge.

Watching the match preview, we always interview 2 players and in over 2 years of this format, there has been only occasion that the 2 players interviewed haven't started the game. For this game the 2 interviewed have been Paul James and Hugh Gustafsson, so I presume Sam Parry is not fit, and it as also been noted that Dan Evans could well be missing from this game, probably Dafydd Howells to full back and Ben John on the bench.

[wayne]

Ospreys team for this must win game against Glasgow on Sunday is as follows
Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Ashley Beck, Josh Matavesi, Hanno Dirksen, Luke Price, Brendon Leonard (c), Paul James, Hugh Gustafsson, Brian Mujati, Lloyd Ashley, Rory Thornton, Tyler Ardron, Olly Cracknell and Dan Baker with Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Rhodri Jones, James King, Sam Underhill, Tom Habberfield, Kieron Fonotia and Dafydd Howells on the bench.

Good to see the centres rotating, would have preferred to see Sam Underhill starting at 7, I don't think Cracknell is fast enough for that crucial position, a big game this for Luke Price, can see him cement the 3rd choice 10 position for next season with a competent display in the next few games, hope that Kevin Phillips son is not as hot headed as his Father, wish the boy all the best for this game if he comes on.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Hey lads. You were whining so much about the ref last week as usual you should check out the welsh ref in the Munster scarlet's game he isn't bad just completely biased. Managed to tackle a Munster player once as well. Very impressive

[Guest]

Hey lads. You were whining so much about the ref last week as usual you should check out the welsh ref in the Munster scarlet's game he isn't bad just completely biased. Managed to tackle a Munster player once as well. Very impressive

No one's watching it. It's not on TV.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

Pity . It's brilliant

[Geen sport voor watjes]

He is a complete cheat. Nothing else

[True Raven]

Hey lads. You were whining so much about the ref last week as usual you should check out the welsh ref in the Munster scarlet's game he isn't bad just completely biased. Managed to tackle a Munster player once as well. Very impressive

Didn't saili get cited?? It's not whining, it was stating the truth.

[wayne]

Well I'm off in the next half hour or so for the most important match of MY weekend, at least I'll get to watch a decently coached team.

[Pot Hale]

Ospreys and Glasgow trading the lead in their PRO12 match.  Glasgow got a one-point advantage for the first time in the match only for Ospreys to come right back and score their third to make it 21-6 with 24 minutes to go.

[Pot Hale]

Connacht and Ulster have both got 5 pointers in Italy to keep them in contention for Top 6 spots.

The battle for 6/7/8 places is looking like it could shape up to a real contest with Glasgow fighting off Scarlets and Connacht coming up on their heels.    Since Glasgow are the highest placed Scottish team, even if Scarlets or Connacht move ahead of them into 6th, they'll still take one of the qualifying spots, with 7th place going into the play-off qualifier against Eng/Fra clubs.

[Pot Hale]

And Ospreys get the all-important bonus try point that will move them into second place above Munster.

[wayne]

What a cracking win, Luke Price was MOTM, BUT it could have gone to a number of them, Dan Baker making absolute yards off the back of scrum, some cracking hits and was even used as a lineout option, Rory Thornton was absolutely superb, in one half a minute of play he was involved 3 times with tackling and always eager to do his bit in the loose. Brendon Leonard very abrasive in contact situations. Defensively we never gave up and won scrums and penalties close to our own line a number of times.
Another inept Refereeing performance Glasgow should never have been allowed their second try for the flying challenge on Giles, the players and fans were so upset we went straight down the field and scored a try that put us back into the lead, the wrong decisions by that Referee run into double figures.
The scrum performance, it was really good to have a solid base from start to finish, even when Rhodri came on, (Maes will be pleased with that).
Finally there were more backs moves of quality in that game from us than has been seen under Howley's tutelage in 8 years as backs coach.

[exile jack]

Saw this on BBC Alba.Well done the O's.Lifted my spirits after yesterday's debacle.Could have been more comfortable without the dropped passes and Rory T running 1 up into 3 Glasgow forwards too often.I just hope Howley doesn't get his hands on Giles because they'll ruin him.Hope Ashley and Beck are ok.What a loss Matavesi will be even with the miracle passes.Dan Baker is the monster man!

[wayne]

A very interesting post match Press Conference by Steve Tandy, when asked about the tackle on Keelan Giles he brought into play the tackle by Saili last week, he was NOT at all complimentary about the standard of officiating, he spoke at how the 2 captains had requested the 2 Referees to take a look at the incidents and both had declined, surely Murphy had heard about the furore in the Saili incident and should have taken into account what Leonard had to say.Talking about Amateur, Semi Professional and Elite Referees and the amount of accountability each are subjected to. He spoke at length about the product (Guinness League) and how it is portrayed because of the standard of Refereeing, he did say that some of these Referees are first class.

[exile jack]

As someone who has been critical of Tandy I have to say that his comments on Pro12 refereeing and its impact on the Pro12 product were calm,thoughtful and measured.They were also bog spot on.

[True Raven]

Sad news that Ospreys women's rugby player Elli Norkett has died in a car crash at the age of 20. Far too young....rip

[RiscaGame]

Sad news that Ospreys women's rugby player Elli Norkett has died in a car crash at the age of 20.  Far too young....rip

Awful News yeah

[ScarletSpiderman]

Very sad news, sympathies to her family and all that new her.

[wayne]

So our RCC2 Quarter Final against Stade Francais is to be held at the Principality Stadium, because the Swans have primacy of tenure and Sky have decided to televise the Swans v Middlesborough game on the Sunday, I wonder if Sky have taken this option because BT have the TV rights for our game, we have to move. Considering what we get out of the Management deal at the Liberty, we really cannot complain too much, by all accounts the WRU have been very accommodating in allowing us access.

[exile jack]

So our RCC2 Quarter Final against Stade Francais is to be held at the Principality Stadium, because the Swans have primacy of tenure and Sky have decided to televise the Swans v Middlesborough game on the Sunday, I wonder if Sky have taken this option because BT have the TV rights for our game, we have to move. Considering what we get out of the Management deal at the Liberty, we really cannot complain too much, by all accounts the WRU have been very accommodating in allowing us access.

As this saves me about 4 hours travel time I'll be there.Btw is there any indication yet who might be in the frame for Gibbes' replacement?

[wayne]

So our RCC2 Quarter Final against Stade Francais is to be held at the Principality Stadium, because the Swans have primacy of tenure and Sky have decided to televise the Swans v Middlesborough game on the Sunday, I wonder if Sky have taken this option because BT have the TV rights for our game, we have to move. Considering what we get out of the Management deal at the Liberty, we really cannot complain too much, by all accounts the WRU have been very accommodating in allowing us access.

As this saves me about 4 hours travel time I'll be there.Btw is there any indication yet who might be in the frame for Gibbes' replacement?

Jack how does it save you 4 hours as Swansea is only about an hour from Cardiff?, nothing official yet on Gibbes replacement, but I know there is an high opinion of Tom Smith who had full control of the forwards in the 2 recent Development Competitions, and we have a strong record of Development from within.

[exile jack]

That's easy.Relatives in Swansea would NOT be happy if they did not receive a visit from Mrs EJ and me,would have to visit my Mum's grave and i've got history with our beloved SW Police so I slow down a lot once I cross the Bridge.

[wayne]

That's easy.Relatives in Swansea would NOT be happy if they did not receive a visit from Mrs EJ and me,would have to visit my Mum's grave and i've got history with our beloved SW Police so I slow down a lot once I cross the Bridge.

I know the feeling only too well, I have 2 sisters who live next door to each other, and although I care for each equally, one Brother in law is ok the other is an obnoxious git, and if I don't give equal time to both, snide remarks are thrown my way.

[exile jack]

That's easy.Relatives in Swansea would NOT be happy if they did not receive a visit from Mrs EJ and me,would have to visit my Mum's grave and i've got history with our beloved SW Police so I slow down a lot once I cross the Bridge.

I know the feeling only too well, I have 2 sisters who live next door to each other, and although I care for each equally, one Brother in law is ok the other is an obnoxious git, and if I don't give equal time to both, snide remarks are thrown my way.

I see we've got Clancy on Friday night along with Wilkinson as 1 TJ and Beggs as the TMO!

[international198]

The big question is will Sam Davies be released for the Edinburgh game?

[wayne]

The big question is will Sam Davies be released for the Edinburgh game?

Wayne Pivac on the radio today said he didn't expect any players back for the Scarlets, because the Welsh match next week is on Friday and the Scarlets play this Sunday, the only advantage we have is our game is Friday, it might be better to try and stick with the squad who performed so well on Sunday. We should have a better indication by the morning, when our weekly Press Conference is normally put up on our website.

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